SYDNEY — Sexpo Australia has reportedly been canceled following the collapse of its parent company, Australian Exhibition Group Pty. Ltd. (AEG).
In August, a creditor filed an application with the Supreme Court of Victoria for a Winding Up Order against AEG, which is a legal request to shut down a company due to unpaid debts.
The matter was heard on Sept. 23, and that same day, AEG informed interested parties that the upcoming Australian events, including the Oct. 4-6 Adelaide expo, were postponed indefinitely.
“The company has begun the process of entering into administration as the deadlock and legal fees make it impossible for the business to continue operating,” the company told exhibitors.
Sexpo founder David Ross, who sold the company to AEG in 2019, expressed his dismay at the situation.
“After the 2019 sale of Sexpo Australia to Australian Exhibition Group Pty. Ltd., I no longer have any interest in the local event, but still, it’s a crying shame to see what’s happened to my baby,” he said, adding, “I have received numerous phone calls from disgruntled exhibitors, telling me that Sexpo Australia (AEG) was still sending out invoices and reminders, and accepting payments until at least midday on Sept. 23, just hours before the postponement notice was sent.”
Maxine Fensom, owner of the affiliated Sexpo U.S.A., clarified that her organization is not connected to AEG but noted similar complaints from Australian exhibitors.
“The action against Australian Exhibition Group Pty. Ltd. (AEG) has no effect on Sexpo U.S.A. operations as AEG has no interest in the U.S.A. Sexpo trademark,” she said. “Exhibitors and the public are equally disgruntled due to the last-minute nature of the cancellation, and the lack of communication from Sexpo Australia’s management, leaving them out of pocket for all the expenses associated with traveling to and exhibiting at a major event.
“The brand may now be too damaged to consider buying the trademark, but the name of the event is less important than giving the public what they want from an adult exhibition, so we are also considering launching under another name.”
Ross agreed that he hopes to move forward with a similar event.
“I have a very good reputation amongst Sexpo exhibitors and so the fact that the local brand is now tarnished, it may be that the Australian trademark is worth nothing, except, possibly, to Maxine and myself,” he said. “In fact, I have been contacted by several affected exhibitors asking if I have any intentions to launch a new event, stating they would be happy to be involved.
“We are currently seeking expressions of interest from potential investors to launch a new event.”
For more information, contact Ross at [email protected].